Partners & Stakeholders

On the ground implementation of IPLM is facilitated by its implementation and learning partners – mainly non governmental , governmental and private sector organizations. They are one of the key stakeholders entrusted with the responsibility of bringing about transformation in public libraries in their respective states.

IPSOS

IPSOS is IPLM’s learning partner that oversees its monitoring and evaluation requirements. The IPSOS Social Research Institute is a world leader in understanding the perceptions of citizens, public service users and other stakeholders. Its aim is to help its clients in governments and the public sector make better, evidence-based decisions. Its specialist teams in individual countries have the in-depth sector knowledge to assist decision-makers across the full range of public policy issues. And with research operations spanning 64 countries worldwide, IPSOS has a fully integrated global network that delivers multi-country research for its international clients. For more information, please visit www.ipsos.com

P.N. Panicker Foundation

P.N. Panicker Foundation is implementing IPLM agenda in the state of Kerala. It is named after P.N. Panicker, the father of Library and Literacy Movement of Kerala, who laid the foundation of a holistic approach to human resources development through the library and literacy movement he initiated and propagated in his life time. ‘VayichuValaruka’ (Read and Grow), the simple and powerful slogan preached and practiced by P.N. Panicker is the consummation of his philosophy of mastering reading for total human development. In furtherance of his mission, the P.N. Panicker Foundation has developed a programme of intensive efforts to inculcate the habit of reading and learning among students (both school children and youth) to equip them to be effective members of the emerging knowledge society. For more information, please visit pnpanicker.org

The main objective of the IPLM is to widen the conventional definition of a public library beyond the books, periodicals, journals, newspapers available there. Any broadening of this definition calls for changes in the very perception and services of the public library, which would be driven and guided by the IPLM stakeholders, who have a stake in the movement and want the movement to succeed.

Community

The community is the consumer of public library services. In a way, they are also the drivers of change in this system based on how they perceive a public library and its services and what changes they want to see based on their needs.

Librarians/Library Staff/Library Associations and Networks

As the providers of library services, they are the key drivers of the movement. Any change in the Indian public library system could happen only through a transformation in their perception of public library and its services. They should understand the need to make a library community oriented. Based on this knowledge, they can take initiatives to realise changes in their respective public libraries.

Administrators and Policy Makers

They are the facilitators of change in the public library system at the administration and policy level since they understand how the public sector works. Based on this knowledge, they can use different combinations and permutations to realise changes in the public library system. They are also best placed to identify what kind of change could be achieved in short term with available rules, regulations and resources, and what could be the long term goals of the IPLM. They work through various departments, missions and commissions/committees dedicated to improving public libraries in India.

Non-Government Organisations

Because of their ability to work with the community, they can help the library professionals and community understand the wider definition of a library. They possess the skill to work as a mediator between the library professionals/personnel, community, administrators and the corporate sector to achieve the desired results. In addition, they are also the facilitators of change in the public library system since they are equipped to manage capacity building and related requirements that such a change in the very conception of a public library entails. They can help the library professionals and administrators understand community needs and introduce changes accordingly.

Corporate Sector

Since Corporate Social Responsibility has become an important component of every corporate sector organisation, they could be encouraged to fund some of the technology related changes in the public library system. They could also adopt public libraries in their vicinity and help in the transformation of library infrastructure and services. Their staff can volunteer to train the librarians and other library personnel in the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Local Self Government Institutions

When envisioning the scale up, the village Panchayat or the Gram Sabha can play an important role in extending library services to the blocks and villages. Since they have their own buildings, which lie vacant most of the time, these could be fruitfully utilised to extend library services to the community. These are also the places of community gathering, so adding library services would enhance their occupancy and relevance.